March airfreight prices up on 2017 levels
30 / 04 / 2018
Average airfreight rates in March are down on February’s levels but continue to track ahead of last year’s figure for the month.
The latest airfreight price index from consultant Drewry’s Air and Shipper Insight report show that average all-in buy rates paid by forwarders to airlines on 28 east-west routes reached $2.73 per kg in March.
This represents a 7.1% increase on the level recorded in March last year but lags behind the February level, although rates between these months can decline as a result of the timing of the Chinese New Year and also a slowdown in demand as the industry enters the quieter summer period.
Looking ahead, rates are expected to remain flat in the coming months, Drewry said.
“Drewry’s East-West Airfreight Price Index dropped by 4% in March to reach $2.73 per kg. However, they remain well above this time last year. Historically, rates have tended to stay broadly flat between March and April, generally rising a few cents,” the consultant said.
Read more air cargo data news